A new report suggests that Arkane Austin wanted to create a new single-player game, like a dishonor sequel, before they closed the studio.
This comes from a new Bloomberg report by Jason Schreier, which helps shed more light on Microsoft's recent decision to close several Bethesda Softworks studios, including Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, and Alpha Dog Games.
According to multiple sources familiar with the situation, Arkane Austin – best known for his work on dishonor, Preyand 2023 red fall – had been looking to return to its roots with a new single-player “immersive sim.”
The idea was still in the pitch phase before the studio closed, but it was suggested that the single-player project would be a “new entry in the dishonor series”.
It is unclear at this time if the pitch could be passed to another Arkane Studios team, such as Arkane Lyon.
In the same report, Tango Gameworks was also said to have released a sequel to its acclaimed rhythm action game. Hifi fever before its closure.
Xbox Game Studios head Matty Booty and ZeniMax Studios head Jill Braff were present at a public meeting with ZeniMax staff on May 8 to discuss the studio's recent closure.
Booty reportedly praised Hifi fever but did not give a reason for Microsoft's recent move, while stating that Arkane Austin's closure had nothing to do with red fall underperformed upon its release last year.
He later said that he felt Microsoft's studio system was “overextended,” comparing it to “peanut butter on bread.” Booty also said they decided to close Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin's to “free up resources elsewhere.”
